Contributions from Joe Stoddard

Joe Stoddard is an industry consultant and the director of builder operations for Dynami Solutions; www.joestoddard.com.

  • The Evils of E-mail

    On the one hand, e-mail is the No.1 Internet application. On the other, e-mail can cause more problems than it solves.

  • Protect Your Business and Your Clients From Electronic Predators

    Internet advertisers want to bombard you with pop-up ads. Hackers might need to “borrow” your computer to mount an attack on another server. Or they might be “phishing” for credit card numbers. Or not. A good percentage of Internet mischief is nothing more than kids somewhere testing their...

  • Scheduling Software 101

    If you're running a successful remodeling company, chances are you've developed a scheduling system that helps you keep your jobs on track. It may be as simple as a Xeroxed calendar or a dry-erase board. So if it's working, why should you consider computer scheduling?

  • Remote Connections Could Save the Day

    It's 8 p.m., you're on a sales call, and your customer is ready to sign on the dotted line, but oops — you forgot to copy the contract, specs, and financing information over to your laptop before you left the office. Now what?

  • Protect Your Electronic Data

    In the time it takes to read this, all your critical computer files could be riding down the road on the key ring of that lead carpenter you just fired. Yes, it's important to protect your computer data from hackers, spyware, viruses, and other network attacks, but it's even more important to think...

  • Cash in on Home Technology Without Rewiring

    Higher-end 'home technology' projects demand over-the-top installations that can cost as much as a starter home. But what about your average homeowner who just wants to share the Internet with a couple of computers, or wants a little more control of their lighting so they don't have to walk into a...

  • Portable Data Storage Devices Pose Threats If You Aren't Diligent

    Remodelers' hard drives might not be the most tempting targets for hackers, but there are still plenty of threats to your digital security. Portable storage devices have made it easy for your data to walk right out the door with a careless or disgruntled employee.

  • Get More For Your Training Dollar

    Your training dollars are better spent on periodic mini-sessions that address specific issues.Send remedial users to introductory Windows classes before the real training starts.

  • Yahoo Provides Business Tools Free of Charge

    Free Yahoo e-mail offers excellent spam and virus filtering, plus "throw-away" addresses to help avoid zealous marketers. If you want to try online project collaboration without spending a lot, check out free Yahoo Groups (groups.yahoo.com).

  • Using technology to your advantage

    Good software and hardware often turns into "shelfware" because you bought it to address the wrong problem, or because your company just wasn't ready for it.Here are some tips that will raise your TQ and ensure that your next technology purchase succeeds.